Greatest Left-Winger In Nigerian Football In 60 Years!

Humphrey Edobor

‘The Prince of Monaco’, Victor Ikpeba, presents a slight challenge. Ikpeba, a right footed player, like Josiah Dombraye and Adokiye Amiesimaka, was converted to play as a central striker in Monaco from his original position as a
left-winger in Nigeria’s junior and senior national teams. He became African Footballer of the Year playing a striker’s role, and not as a winger for Nigeria most of the time. So, there is some contention about the inclusion of his name in this group of left-sided wingers.

Victor is not the only African Footballer of the Year in this list. Emmanuel Amuneke also won the award, making two of them with the highest individual awards in African football in the group.

Kunle Awesu was also declared best
left-winger in Africa at the African Cup of Nations in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, in 1976.

Felix Owolabi was a one-man army. Adokiye was a player with the silky touch. Josiah Dombraye was a god in the deep south of Nigeria. Humphrey Edobor and, later, Elahor were electrifying particularly in Bendel State that dominated Nigerian football in that era. The list goes on – all megastars in their rights and in their time.

Each one of the players on the list has a rich chest of individual achievements to show for their place in Nigerian football history.

So, my role in this exercise, once again, is only as a moderator, to yield the ground to the celebrated personalities making their difficult choice of best left-winger in Nigerian football in 60 years since Independence. Here are their choices.

Emmanuel Amuneke against Zambian opponents at Tunisia ’94 AFCON.

Amaju Pinnick – Administrator, President NFF

Humphrey Edobor, Elastic – As a witness to his phenomenal ability, his crosses were spot on, his passes sublime, his dribbles were effortless and easy. He was football made-easy. Simply the best.

Dominic Oneya – Administrator, former Governor

Felix Owolabi, Owoblow – He was both a good defender and an attacker. Had excellent understanding of the game. Although he did not play outside the country, had the ability to have played in any team in the world.

Aminu Maigari – Administrator, Former President, NFF

Adokiye Amiesimaka, Chief Justice – Brazil were my best team in the 1982 World Cup (they did not win it); just as the Green Eagles of 1980 are my best Nigerian team ever; just as Adokiye Amiesimaka is my best
left-winger in Nigeria’s football history. He was a skills-workshop, always in synergy with the team, never selfish with the ball, and played his football with deep passion.

Also Read: The Greatest Captain In Nigeria’s Football History!

Kojo Williams – Administrator, former Chairman, NFA

Adokiye Amiesimaka, Chief Justice – Without the advantage of present day technology and training, on his individual talent and natural ability, CJ had everything; he was very quick, technically sound, a great vision, excellent dribbling skills, very intelligent and extremely fast.

Adokiye Amiesimaka takes on an Algerian opponent during the 1980 AFCON final

Fabio Lanipekun – Veteran Journalist

Adokiye Amiesimaka, Chief Justice – Nigeria was blessed with many absolutely brilliant left-wingers, but he was the best of them all. He was exceptionally great. Good with both feet, an excellent dribbler, and very intelligent. Like Owoblow (Felix Owolabi), naturally gifted.

Alabi Aissien – Professor, Coach

Humphrey Edobor, Elastic – Most enterprising of wingers, is Humphrey. One factor stood out – no one taught him but his crosses were always inch perfect, difficult for goalkeepers to intercept, but easy for his attackers to connect. The ball went to wherever he sent it. He could meander through tight defenses with the ball effortlessly.

Chuka Momah – Administrator, Micro-biologist

Adokiye Amiesimaka, Chief Justice – a member of my best pack of Eagles ever. Pure ability with the ball, unadulterated football, inspired a whole country with his skill and performances, combined dribbling skills with brain power, and was not called CJ for nothing. Fantastic player. Chief Justice was it!

Also Read: The Intro – The Greatest Left-Back In Nigeria’s Football History

Dele Adetiba – Journalist/Advertising Guru

Dejo Fayemi – I am hung up on players of the old eras, except Adokiye who was quite enterprising and stands out in my head from the others. Fayemi was a natural left footer; without being a great dribbler was still able to regularly weave his way through defenses; very skillful for that time. Scored a lot of goals as a left-winger.

Rampaging Felix Owolabi

Godwin Dudu-Orumen – Administrator, Journalist, Marketer

Adekunle Awesu – First real modern day left-winger. Like Damian Ogunsuyi, very quick, very skillful, a great dribbler, and master of the dead ball. Very deadly from free kicks and crosses.

Jacob Oyekale – Football fan in Abuja

Felix Owolabi, Owoblow – strong, skillful and intelligent. He could play from midfield, full-back or wing-back. Played in the attack as well. Had speed and was difficult to shake off the ball. Had very accurate passes, power-packed shots and scored his own fair share of goals. Good with the set piece.

Segun Odegbami